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Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:10:07 -0800
Andy from private IP, post #15700690
/all
New Made in USA toy venture
In my limited spare time, I am a Made in USA enthusiast, and I try to buy domestically as much as I can. In that connection, when buying toys for my daughter,
I have had a major challenge finding domestic-produced toys that are as convenient to purchase and as conventional as the world of toys on Amazon, etc. So I
decided to start a Made in USA toy venture, which will use the best domestic manufacturing techniques and suppliers to create truly Made in USA toys that are
superior to Chinese toys in quality, function, and longevity, while promoting positive childhood development. Examples of toys that would benefit from American
manufacturing and that are realistic here include the Tonka series of vehicles, formerly Made in USA but currently made in China (my daughter loves her
next-generation dump truck); a toddler tool set (I still have my hand-me-down wooden tool set, which is from the 1950s); and various play sets that would be
possible to execute well and safely.
What would you most like to see in the area of Made in USA toys?
#Hobbies #Technology
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:18:31 -0800
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #12618297
š
American Girl dolls used to be made in Germany at the Gotz factory when the company was first created by Pleasant Rowland and they had a factory in Wisconsin
too I believe. Either way, Middleton, Wisconsin was the distributor and headquarters. Many of the outfits for the dolls were also made in Europe or USA. After
Mattel bought the company from Rowland, everything is made in China and sometimes maybe even Vietnam. It would be nice to see dolls and stuffed animals made
here again. If American Girl calls the dolls American Girl then it would be nice to at least see some stuff still made here. Even Barbie is an American icon and
itās sad she is made abroad.
There can also be some simpler things that can be easily made here like summer toys such as inflatable pools and water guns.
Thu, 13 Nov 2025 07:19:18 -0800
Andy from private IP
Reply #11485800
š
Made in USA dolls-- you are a freaking genius. Thanks!
Fri, 14 Nov 2025 21:28:38 -0800
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #13155374
Andy let me just ask in earnest what is wrong with Made in China toys? There are a lot of good quality China made toys believe it or not. You just wont find
them at a normal store. Lots of science sets DIY stuff etc.
Bro it's cheaper to ship American wood to China. Make a wooden toy. And ship it back to America. Than to find anyone here to make it from scratch.
You can get some bad ass metal toy cars as well.
I found this toy concept brand made by some Asian chicken from nay area. Its supposed to be a major business for DIY or homeschooling kids.
https://www.kiwico.com
So whatever they retail at say 34.95 is really 5 dollar toy they got from some Chinese manufacturer who came up with the design and concept and the kiwi co just
does the website and sales.
There are a lot of really good toy design factories in China. You can't just think cheap plastic stuff etc.
What I am trying to say is there is a lack of human capital in US with regard to such a venture. When was the last time you met a wood worker or a metal worker
or a toy maker? Or a maker of anything excelt hobbyists or farmers market bros?
Sat, 15 Nov 2025 06:36:45 -0800
Andy from private IP
Reply #17161461
Those are all good points, however, I think I can do it. Will share a more detailed update in the near future once I have the prototype tool set done!
Sat, 15 Nov 2025 08:26:54 -0800
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #11653096
@whiteguyinchinaTest
I understand your affinity for your time in China, but letās be real about some stuff. Iām all for supporting skilled workers and fair industry whether
theyāre in China, the U.S., or anywhere else. Iām not trying to boycott any goods that are made in China or Taiwan or Hong Kong. That said, I think we need
to be honest about the consequences of sending so much manufacturing overseas, especially when it comes to toy production and other consumer goods.
The decline of American factories didnāt just mean job losses, it also weakened quality control, worker protections, and environmental standards. Meanwhile,
many reports have shown that certain factories in China (not all of course but enough to matter) have troubling labor and environmental practices. Thatās not
a dig at the Chinese peopleāitās a criticism of unchecked industrial globalization.
Also, thereās a reason āMade in USAā or āMade in Italyā still carries a level of prestige: people associate it with craftsmanship, regulations, and
pride in production. That doesnāt mean there arenāt skilled artisans in China and of course there are amazing ones but global consumers are smart enough to
know the difference between a boutique workshop and a mass-scale drop-shipping warehouse.
So I donāt think calling for a revival of U.S. toy manufacturing is some kind of backward or nationalist move. Itās about sustainability, wages, and
dignity. If anything, itās about raising standards everywhere, not just accepting the race to the bottom.
Sat, 15 Nov 2025 08:29:19 -0800
zerosugar from private IP
Reply #18921553
I also want to add that parents have also been concerned about chemicals in certain toys. Environmental standards outside of Europe and the EU are not well
understood to the average consumer.
Sat, 15 Nov 2025 16:44:23 -0800
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #11547025
Thanks for the thoughtful response. Although I do have my bias i do know the good the bad and the ugly about china manufacturing. Especially toys
I largely agree with you but america wipp have to be selective about what manufacturing it brings back. It will be tech medical etc. It will not be textiles or
toys or furniture en masse. Why? First building factories will be an inflationary situation so inflation will be long lasting reducing consumer purchasing
power. Second usa manufacturing and enacting tariffs etc to make alternatives compwtitive will make things more expensive further reducing purchasing power.
Third AI will further devalue labor. We are seeing the end of globalization and beginning of some techno mercantilist economy where the consumer no longer
drives the world economy. It will now be big investment a kind of state capitalism.
So you will have an upper class and a lower class kind of like Brazil. I called this brazilification of america about 8 years ago. I think its happening.
So there will be a market for two types of toys. One is the cheapest ones possible affordable by the proles. The second will be exp3nsive boutique for people
who dont see the difference from 3 dollars to 30 dollars.
So yes you can make some boutique toy but that will be more of an artisanal nature similar to some bro selling honey at the farmers market. That botique toy
should be really unique. Like those make your own bear shops where you pay 60 dollars for your kid to sow together 5 dollars worth of fur stuffing and
accessories. That can work. Like add an experience factor to it. Toys as a commodity will be tough. Rich Chinese parents buy rich people toys not happy meal
toys. Just ask wily.
Sun, 16 Nov 2025 05:36:10 -0800
Andy from private IP
Reply #12065905
I'm starting with a toddler tool set since my daughter needs one. Andy's Tool Set will be a boutique product, which is ironic considering that elite Chinese
view handymen as far beneath them. I'm doing it for Americans.
Sun, 16 Nov 2025 16:54:52 -0800
whiteguyinchina from private IP
Reply #10918032
You could probably just go back to 1950s and 1960s toys and duplicate those. Like whatever Dennis the menace was messing wjth.
@12618297 Andy š @11485800 zerosugar š
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